Panasonic Energy Co., Ltd., a Panasonic Group Company, announced the completion of a project to relocate its dry battery factory. Particularly, the Nishikinohama Factory in Kaizuka City in Osaka, Japan, has already started full-scale production of AA, AAA, C, and D alkaline batteries.

This CO₂-free factory^*2 which makes effective use of clean energy is the company’s only dry battery production site in Japan. Moreover, it manufactures high-quality dry batteries, including EVOLTA NEO. Currently, it is the “longest lasting AA alkaline (LR6) battery cell^*3” by Guinness World Records™, and supplies products mainly to the domestic market.

This year, Panasonic’s energy-related business marked the 100th anniversary from 1923. Specifically, when the then Matsushita Electric Housewares Manufacturing Works marketed the bullet-shaped battery-powered bicycle lamp and the Excel Dry Battery for the lamp.

Since then, the launch of in-house production of dry batteries in 1931, the company has continued to meet the demand for dry batteries in Japan. Mainly, the Moriguchi Factory, also the location of the company’s headquarters, is supplying the dry battery demand in Japan.  

Panasonic Energy’s dry batteries are prevalent as an energy source that can be used anytime, anywhere. Thus, underpinning the “happiness in our daily lives” and as an emergency energy source in case of disasters. This has occurred increasingly frequently in recent years.

Incorporates Smart Production Systems

Panasonic Energy also deploys its business globally. In 2020, it became the first Japanese company to ship a cumulative total of 200 billion dry batteries worldwide.

With the termination of production at the Moriguchi Factory, which had met domestic demand for over 90 years, a new factory has been set up. Particularly, at the Nishikinohama Industrial Park in Kaizuka City, Osaka Prefecture.

Most importantly, the new site embodies a smart production system that incorporates automated transfer and automated warehousing systems. Furthermore, the factory also realizes a clean, safe, secure, and attractive workplace. Moreover, it will also fulfill its responsibility to supply products to the domestic market in the future.

To realize environmentally friendly manufacturing, the factory takes full advantage of renewable energy by installing solar panels all over the rooftop. It achieved net zero CO₂ emissions from the fiscal year ending March 2024, when its operation commenced.

In the fiscal year ending March 2025, pure hydrogen fuel cell generators and energy storage systems will be introduced to ensure energy management of the entire factory. Thereby, further accelerating efficient and clean manufacturing.

Enhance Ties With Community

The factory will also focus on harmony with society. The factory tours and battery school for children, in which more than one million elementary school students participated in total from their launch in 1966, have been upgraded. Going forward, the factory will be further opened to the public to enhance ties with the community.

Panasonic Energy will continue to foster harmony with the environment over the next generation through operations at the Nishikinohama Factory. Finally, the company aims to achieve “a society in which the pursuit of happiness and a sustainable environment are harmonized free of conflict,” which is Panasonic Energy’s mission.

Notes:

*1: Maximum monthly production totaling all the sizes (AA, AAA, C and D) manufactured at the Nishikinohama Factory (as of November 2023)

*2: To substantially eliminate CO₂ emissions by promoting energy conservation, introducing renewable energy, and using environmental certificates

*3: Recognized as the Longest lasting AA alkaline (LR6) battery cell by Guinness World Records on October 2, 2017. Recertified on October 1, 2022. Based on the average value of all discharge modes in the IEC standard. 250 mA 1 hour per day (cut-off voltage: 0.9 V), etc. (Temperature: 20±2°C, Relative humidity: (55+20, 55-40)%)